Jian Tianming

"How dare you!" He pointed his blade at the void, his voice brimming with fury. "Since you have the audacity to openly interfere in the King Zhenbei Army's affairs, do you dare leave your name?!"

Above the long street, a light laugh suddenly rang out. The voice seemed both distant and near, as if coming from the horizon yet right beside the ear, carrying a hint of amusement and mockery. "Name?" The voice drawled leisurely. "Tell the one in the North—"

"This is the Imperial Capital, where imperial authority reigns supreme—it is the royal family's domain!"

Before the words had fully fallen, the war blade in the Commander's hand suddenly let out a violent hum, trembling fiercely as if pulled by some invisible force.

Even more terrifying, his right arm holding the blade was now covered in a thick layer of ice crystals. The bone-piercing cold surged through his meridians like a raging undercurrent, straight toward his heart.

"Pfft—!!!" The Commander could no longer hold back and spat out a mouthful of blood.

He was a dignified Dharma Aspect Realm Second Layer Expert, yet he had been wounded so easily...

"Retreat! Retreat now!"

The Commander knew he had run into a formidable opponent today. Without daring to linger any longer, he slunk away from the scene in disgrace.

The surrounding crowd witnessed this and could not help but whisper among themselves, their guesses rising and falling.

Most thought it was likely the royal family, unable to tolerate the King Zhenbei Army's overbearing behavior any longer, who had secretly intervened to teach them a lesson.

After Chen Lin finished all this, a faint smile appeared on his face. Then, his form flickered like a ghost, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared before the Maidservant.

He gently raised his hand, and a soft, mysterious power, like the warm spring sun, slowly settled upon the Maidservant.

The Maidservant seemed to be lifted by a pair of invisible, gentle hands. At the same time, the shocking injuries on her body melted away like ice and snow, rapidly healing in an instant.

Just then, Elder Qin finally arrived as well.

Elder Qin looked around and found that the King Zhenbei Army Commander was nowhere to be seen. A flicker of doubt arose in his heart, and he asked, "Where is the man?"

But as his gaze shifted and caught sight of Chen Lin's black robe, his expression changed slightly. He mused to himself that the situation just now must have been the work of Myriad Law Heavenly Sovereign.

"Elder Qin, I just got here and found that your Four Directions Merchant Association's people seem rather ineffective—easily bullied by anyone."

Chen Lin said with a smile.

Although his appearance was abrupt, it was clear that no one present would connect him with the one who had secretly acted just moments ago.

At this moment, Chen Lin deliberately revealed his cultivation level. As his aura circulated, it clearly displayed the Divine Vault Ninth Layer realm!

Elder Qin noticed this and thought, How could it be Divine Vault Ninth Layer!

He must be disguised. Otherwise, with my eyesight, how could I so easily detect such a cultivation level? This man is stronger than me!

Presumably, Chen Lin's intention was to dispel the guesses of those around him.

"Why are you here? Come inside with me." Elder Qin said with a cold snort.

He himself had never imagined that one day he would speak to Chen Lin in such a tone.

After all, in his understanding, Chen Lin's strength far surpassed his own, and facing an Expert, one should hold reverence.

But now that the other party was pretending to be at the Divine Vault Ninth Layer, Elder Qin naturally could not show the same respect as before, lest others see through it.

Upon hearing this, Chen Lin followed Elder Qin inside.

The surrounding crowd witnessed this scene and could not help but speculate privately.

Seeing how familiar Elder Qin and Chen Lin seemed, everyone thought Chen Lin was likely a Cultivator who frequented the Four Directions Merchant Association.

After all, although many people came and went at the Four Directions Merchant Association, for Elder Qin to be so familiar with him, his identity must be extraordinary.

The crowd also mused that, judging by Chen Lin's revealed Divine Vault Ninth Layer cultivation, he was not far from the Dharma Aspect Realm Great Expert. Perhaps he even had some unfathomably powerful old monster backing him.

The crowd whispered among themselves for a good while before gradually returning to their usual busy routines.

Chen Lin followed Elder Qin to an elegant room.

Elder Qin turned to face Chen Lin, his face barely concealing his delight.

"Heavenly Sovereign, your timing is perfect! Our Four Directions Merchant Association happens to have a troublesome matter we wish to entrust to you."

"If the Heavenly Sovereign can help us resolve it, we are willing to unconditionally offer a Heaven Tier Martial Skill, along with a Storage Ring filled with resources, the space within as vast as a palace!"

Chen Lin's heart stirred slightly upon hearing this.

A Heaven-tier cultivation technique—that was a precious manual countless Cultivators dreamed of. On top of that, a massive trove of resources. The reward was indeed generous.

However, with such an enticing prize, the difficulty of the task was likely not to be underestimated. But it wouldn't hurt to take a look.

"What matter?" Chen Lin asked with a calm expression.

Elder Qin sighed softly and spoke slowly. "Within our Four Directions Merchant Association, there are three families. Currently, the Guild Master's Lin Family leads."

"However, the other two families intend to collude with Ling Cangqiong. Ling Cangqiong has promised them many benefits. But these two families do not wish to act personally, so they have invited a Dharma Aspect Realm Rogue Cultivator from outside the Great Yan Imperial Dynasty to represent them in cooperating with Ling Cangqiong."

"Our Guild Master has already chosen to support the First Prince, so naturally, he cannot allow them to succeed. Thus, we hope the Heavenly Sovereign can step in and eliminate the opponent. I was just about to contact you through His Highness, but I never expected you to come in person."

After hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Chen Lin's eyes.

Ling Cangqiong—he was actually trying to win over the family Forces of the Four Directions Merchant Association.

One had to know that the Four Directions Merchant Association controlled grain, treasures, weapons, and all kinds of vital resources. In times of war, these were indispensable key elements.

Moreover, the one he himself supported was his disciple. Ling Cangqiong's actions were undoubtedly opposing his own son.

Who he would help was clear.

"Show me his file," Chen Lin said.

Since he planned to eliminate this man, Elder Qin and the others should have gathered a fair amount of relevant information.

And since he had been idle in Tianyan City for so long, it wouldn't hurt to go out and take a look!

Getting rid of him would be a simple matter.

Hearing this, Elder Qin's face immediately broke into a wide grin.

It was only natural—the Guild Master supported the First Prince, while the other two families leaned toward Ling Cangqiong. As the First Prince's master, the Heavenly Lord stepping in to help was only reasonable.

Without hesitation, he pulled out a file and handed it to Chen Lin.

[Name: Jian Tianming]

[Cultivation: Eighth Level Dharma Idol]

[Technique: Unknown]

[Treasure: Heavenly Artifact · Dao Slaying Sword]

Chen Lin's gaze swept quickly over the file, and he felt a slight surprise inwardly. Jian Tianming's cultivation was indeed considerable—he had already reached the Eighth Level of the Dharma Aspect Realm.

Moreover, judging from various signs, it was highly likely that he had cultivated sword-related techniques and Martial Skills, so his strength should not be underestimated.

Elder Qin continued, "Originally, the Guild Master wanted to deal with this man, but he was worried that doing so too early would alert the heads of those two families. So he first sent me to ask for your opinion, Heavenly Lord. At the same time, the Guild Master spared no expense in hiring other experts."

"Now that you, Heavenly Lord, have agreed to act, the Guild Master can call off that other person. Though we still need to pay him some resources, at least the cost won't be too great."

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